Projector

The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2023-038503, filed Mar. 13, 2023, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The present disclosure relates to a projector.

JP-A-10-206813 discloses a projector including a light source outputting a white light, three dichroic mirrors separating the white light output from the light source into a red light, a green light, and a blue light, one liquid crystal panel containing a plurality of pixels each including three sub-pixels corresponding to the red light, the green light, and the blue light, and a micro-lens array provided at a light incident side of the liquid crystal panel and including a plurality of micro-lenses placed with respect to each of the three sub-pixels. In the projector, the respective color lights separated from the white light by the dichroic mirrors are entered into the three sub-pixels in the liquid crystal panel at different angles.

JP-A-03-267918 discloses a transmissive display apparatus including one liquid crystal panel, a light incident-side lens array placed at a light incident side of the liquid crystal panel and having a plurality of lenses corresponding to respective pixels of the liquid crystal panel, and a light exiting-side lens array placed at a light exiting side of the liquid crystal panel and having a plurality of lenses corresponding to the respective pixels of the liquid crystal panel. In the transmissive display apparatus, the light exiting-side lens array is provided, and thereby, the spread of the light output from the respective pixels of the liquid crystal panel is suppressed and a loss of the light is reduced.

For example, it may be considered that, in the above described configuration of the projector of JP-A-10-206813, to reduce the loss of the light output from the liquid crystal panel, the above described configuration of JP-A-03-267918 is combined and a micro-lens array is further placed at the light exiting side.

However, the color lights output from the two sub-pixels at ends of the three sub-pixels in a certain pixel of the liquid crystal panel enter micro-lenses adjacent to the micro-lens corresponding to the certain pixel and become diverging lights, and may be hard to be taken into a projection lens and may be a light loss.

In order to solve the above described problem, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, a projector including a light source device outputting a light containing a first color light, a second color light, and a third color light different in color from one another, a light modulator modulating the first color light, the second color light, and the third color light output from the light source device based on an image signal, and a projection optical device projecting the light modulated in the light modulator, wherein the light modulator has a multi-lens array respectively entered by the first color light, the second color light, and the third color light output from the light source at different angles, one liquid crystal panel entered by the light output from the multi-lens array, and a light refractor array entered by the light output from the liquid crystal panel, the liquid crystal panel has a plurality of pixels containing a first pixel, a second pixel, and a third pixel, each of the plurality of pixels has a first sub-pixel entered by the first color light collected by the multi-lens array, a second sub-pixel placed adjacent to the first sub-pixel in a first direction and entered by the second color light collected by the multi-lens array, and a third sub-pixel placed adjacent to the second sub-pixel in the first direction and entered by the third color light collected by the multi-lens array, the multi-lens array has a plurality of macro lenses provided to correspond to each of the plurality of pixels, and the light refractor array has a first light refractor placed over a boundary between the first pixel and the second pixel adjacent to the first pixel at one side in the first direction of the plurality of pixels and a second light refractor placed over a boundary between the first pixel and the third pixel adjacent to the first pixel at the other side in the first direction is provided.

As below, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that, in the drawings used in the following explanation, characteristic parts may be enlarged for convenience for clearly showing the characteristics and dimension ratios etc. of the respective component elements are not necessarily the same as real dimension ratios.

1 FIG. is a schematic configuration diagram of a projector of the embodiment.

1 10 1 10 20 22 1 A projectorof the embodiment modulates a light output from a light source device, forms an image according to image information, and enlarges and projects the formed image on a projected surface such as a screen. That is, the projectorof the embodiment modulates the light output from the light source deviceby a light modulatorincluding one liquid crystal panel, forms an image, and projects the formed image. The projectorof the embodiment is the so-called single-LCD projector.

1 1 In the projector, an axis through which a principal ray of an image light is defined as “principal optical axis AX”. Note that, in the following description, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is used for explanation as necessary. A Z-axis is an axis along a vertical direction of a space in which the projectoris placed. An X-axis is an axis parallel to the principal optical axis AX. A Y-axis is an axis along a horizontal direction of the projector and orthogonal to the X-axis and the Z-axis.

1 FIG. 1 10 20 30 As shown in, the projectorof the embodiment includes the light source device, the light modulator, and a projection optical device.

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 16 17 10 20 30 1 The light source deviceincludes a light source, a collimator system, a first lens array for light source, a second lens array for light source, a polarization conversion element, a color separation system, and a superimposition system. The color separation systemand the superimposition systemof the light source deviceand the light modulatorand the projection optical deviceare arranged along the principal optical axis AX of the projector.

11 The light sourceincludes a white LED and outputs a white light LW containing a red light, a green light, and a blue light different in color from one another. Note that, in the embodiment, the LED is used as the light source, but not limited to that. A light source using a lamp or a laser diode may be used or sunlight may be collected and used as a light source.

12 11 13 12 12 12 a b. The collimator systemparallelizes and guides the white light LW emitted from the light sourceto the first lens array for light source. The collimator systemincludes a first lensand a second lens

13 13 11 1 11 13 11 13 a a. The first lens array for light sourcehas a plurality of lensesarranged in a matrix form within a a plane orthogonal to a center axis of the white light LW entering from the light source, i.e., an illumination optical axis AXof the light source. The first lens array for light sourcedivides the white light LW entering from the light sourceinto a plurality of partial luminous fluxes by the plurality of lenses

14 14 1 13 13 14 13 14 14 15 a a a a a a The second lens array for light sourcehas a plurality of lensesarranged in a matrix form within the plane orthogonal to the illumination optical axis AXand corresponding to the plurality of lensesof the first lens array for light source. Into the respective lenses, the partial luminous fluxes output from the lensesfacing the lensesare entered. The respective lensesenter the partial luminous fluxes into the polarization conversion element.

15 15 14 20 21 20 The polarization conversion elementhas a configuration in which a polarization separation film and a half-wave plate as a wave plate are arranged in an array form. The polarization conversion elementconverts the light output from the second lens array for light sourceinto a predetermined linearly-polarized light. Thereby, the polarization direction of the light entering the light modulatorcan be aligned with a transmission axis direction of a light incident-side polarizerplaced at a light incident side of the light modulator, which will be described later.

15 16 16 16 16 16 The white light LW converted into the linearly-polarized light by the polarization conversion elemententers the color separation system. The color separation systemhas a first dichroic mirrorB, a second dichroic mirrorG, and a mirrorR, and separates the white light LW into a red light LR, a green light LG, and a blue light LB. In the embodiment, the red light LR corresponds to “first color light”, the green light LG corresponds to “second color light”, and the blue light LB corresponds to “third color light”.

16 16 1 11 1 The first dichroic mirrorB includes a dielectric multilayer film having a property of selectively transmitting a light in a blue wavelength range and reflecting lights in the other wavelength ranges. The first dichroic mirrorB is placed on the illumination optical axis AXof the light sourceand forms an angle of 45° with the illumination optical axis AX.

16 The first dichroic mirrorB transmits and outputs the blue light LB of the white light LW in the +X direction and reflects and outputs the light containing the green light LG and the red light LR of the white light LW in the −Y direction.

16 16 16 16 The second dichroic mirrorG includes a dielectric multilayer film having a property of selectively transmitting a light in a red wavelength range and reflecting the light in a green wavelength range. The second dichroic mirrorG is provided at the −Y side of the first dichroic mirrorB and placed in parallel to the first dichroic mirrorB.

16 16 The second dichroic mirrorG reflects and outputs the green light LG of the light containing the green light LG and the red light LR entering from the first dichroic mirrorB in the +X direction and transmits and outputs the red light LR in the −Y direction.

16 16 16 The mirrorR is provided at the −Y side of the second dichroic mirrorG and placed in parallel to the second dichroic mirrorG.

16 16 The mirrorR reflects and outputs the red light LR entering from the second dichroic mirrorG in the +X direction.

16 17 17 17 In the above described manner, the color separation systemcan separate the white light LW into the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB in the Y directions and enter the lights into the superimposition system. That is, the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB enter different locations on a light incident surface of a superimposing lensA of the superimposition system, which will be described later.

17 17 17 The superimposition systemincludes the superimposing lensA and a field lensB.

17 17 20 24 24 20 17 17 a The superimposing lensA and the field lensB superimpose and enter the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB into the light modulator. Specifically, the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB enter respective lensesof a light incident-side multi-lens array, which will be described later, provided in the light modulatorat different angles in the Y directions by the superimposition systemand the field lensB.

20 10 The light modulatormodulates the blue light LB, the green light LG, and the red light LR output from the light source devicebased on the image signal.

20 21 22 23 24 22 25 22 21 22 21 23 21 23 The light modulatorincludes the light incident-side polarizer, one liquid crystal panel, a light exiting-side polarizer, the light incident-side multi-lens arrayprovided on a light incident side of the liquid crystal panel, and a light refractor arrayprovided on a light exiting surface of the liquid crystal panel. The light incident-side polarizertransmits and enters the linearly-polarized light in the predetermined direction of the white light LW into the liquid crystal panelside. The light incident-side polarizerand the light exiting-side polarizerare placed so that the polarization axis of the light incident-side polarizerand the polarization axis of the light exiting-side polarizerare orthogonal to each other.

30 20 30 The projection optical deviceincludes a projection lens, and projects the light output from the light modulatoron a projected surface such as a screen and displays a predetermined image. The number of the projection lenses forming the projection optical deviceis not particularly limited, but may be one or more.

2 FIG. 22 is a sectional view showing a main part of the liquid crystal panel.

2 FIG. 22 220 221 222 22 As shown in, the liquid crystal panelincludes an element substrate, a counter substrate, and a liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal panelincludes a pixel area PA having a plurality of pixels P. The plurality of pixels P are arranged in a matrix form in the horizontal directions of the pixel area PA, i.e., the Y directions as the lateral directions and the vertical directions of the pixel area PA, i.e., the Z directions as the longitudinal directions.

1 2 3 1 2 3 2 1 3 The plurality of pixels P contain a first pixel P, a second pixel P, and a third pixel P. In the embodiment, the first pixel P, the second pixel P, and the third pixel Pare three pixels adjacently placed in the Y directions of the plurality of pixels P. The second pixel P, the first pixel P, and the third pixel Pare sequentially arranged in the Y directions.

1 2 3 2 1 3 1 Specifically, the first pixel Pis the pixel between the second pixel Pand the third pixel P, the second pixel Pis the pixel adjacent to the first pixel Pat the +Y side, and the third pixel Pis the pixel adjacent to the first pixel Pat the −Y side.

Each pixel P includes a first sub-pixel PR, a second sub-pixel PG, and a third sub-pixel PB. Hereinafter, the first sub-pixel PR, the second sub-pixel PG, and the third sub-pixel PB may be simply abbreviated as sub-pixels PR, PG, PB.

In each pixel P, the respective sub-pixels PR, PG, PB are arranged in the Y directions. The first sub-pixel PR is located at the most +Y side within the pixel P, the second sub-pixel PG is adjacently placed at the −Y side of the first sub-pixel PR, and the third sub-pixel PB is adjacently placed at the −Y side of the second sub-pixel PG. In the embodiment, the Y direction corresponds to “first direction”.

As will be described later, the red light LR enters the first sub-pixel PR, the green light LG enters the second sub-pixel PG, and the blue light LB enters the third sub-pixel PB.

22 22 222 The liquid crystal panelof the embodiment has the so-called striped pixel area PA. Specifically, in the pixel area PA, the respective sub-pixels PR, PG, PB of the pixels P adjacent in the Z directions are arranged in the Z directions. The respective sub-pixels PR, PG, PB are areas sectioned by a black matrix BM as a light-shielding member. The liquid crystal panelgenerates an image light with desired brightness by adjusting applied voltages to the liquid crystal layersplaced in the respective sub-pixels PR, PG, PB based on the image signal.

24 221 22 24 24 24 221 221 a The light incident-side multi-lens arrayis provided at a light incident side of the counter substrateof the liquid crystal panel. The light incident-side multi-lens arrayhas the plurality of lensesprovided to correspond to the respective pixels P. Note that the light incident-side multi-lens arraymay be separately formed by attachment to the counter substratevia a bonding layer or integrally formed with the counter substrate.

24 In the embodiment, the light incident-side multi-lens arraycorresponds to “multi-lens array”.

2 FIG. 1 24 24 24 24 24 24 1 24 24 22 a a a a a a As shown in, in the projectorof the embodiment, the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB enter each lensof the light incident-side multi-lens arrayat different angles in the Y directions. The red light LR enters in an oblique direction from the −Y side toward the +Y side with respect to the lens optical axis of each lens, the green light LG enters in the +X direction along the lens optical axis of each lens, and the blue light LB enters in an oblique direction from the +Y side toward the −Y side with respect to the lens optical axis of each lens. The differences in incident angle of the respective color lights LR, LG, LB in a light incident surfaceof each lensof the light incident-side multi-lens arrayare reflected on differences in incident position within the respective sub-pixels PR, PG, PB of the liquid crystal panel.

24 24 a Thereby, each lensof the light incident-side multi-lens arraycollects the red light LR entering from the oblique direction on the first sub-pixel PR of each pixel P, collects the green light LG entering in parallel on the second sub-pixel PG of each pixel P, and collects the blue light LB entering from the oblique direction opposite to the red light LR with respect to the green light LG on the third sub-pixel PB. Note that “collect” in this specification does not necessarily collect the lights to single points of the respective sub-pixels PR, PG, PB, but, even in a defocus condition, may collect the lights within the respective sub-pixels PR, PG, PB to some degree to make larger amounts of lights pass through the respective sub-pixels.

25 22 25 25 25 25 a b c. The respective color lights LR, LG, LB modulated in the respective sub-pixels PR, PG, PB enter the light refractor arrayprovided at the light exiting side of the liquid crystal panel. The light refractor arrayhas a plurality of light refractors. The plurality of light refractors include a first light refractor, a second light refractor, and a third light refractor

25 1 2 1 2 1 a The first light refractoris placed over a boundary between the first pixel Pand the second pixel P. The boundary between the first pixel Pand the second pixel Pis defined by a first boundary line Kshown by an imaginary line along the X directions that separates the two pixels in the Y directions.

25 1 3 1 3 2 b The second light refractoris placed over a boundary between the first pixel Pand the third pixel P. The boundary between the first pixel Pand the third pixel Pis defined by a second boundary line Kshown by an imaginary line along the X directions that separates the two pixels in the Y directions.

25 25 25 c a b. The third light refractoris placed between the first light refractorand the second light refractor

25 25 25 25 25 25 a b c a b c”. Hereinafter, the first light refractor, the second light refractor, and the third light refractormay be collectively simply referred to as “respective light refractors,,

25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 a b c a b c a b c a b a b c The plurality of light refractors including the respective light refractors,,are formed using convex lenses. The respective light refractors,,are lenses having symmetrical shapes with respect to lens optical axes. In the case of the embodiment, the first light refractorand the second light refractorare formed using the same convex lens and the third light refractoris formed using the convex lens smaller than those of the first light refractorand the second light refractor. Note that the lenses forming the respective light refractors,,may be spherical lenses or aspherical lenses.

Here, a configuration of a comparative example is taken as an example for explanation.

3 FIG. 3 FIG. 122 26 24 25 26 shows a configuration of a main part of a liquid crystal panel of the comparative example. As shown in, a liquid crystal panelof the comparative example is different from the configuration of the embodiment in that a light exiting-side multi-lens arrayforming a pair with the light incident-side multi-lens arrayis placed at the light incident side of the liquid crystal panel in place of the light refractor array. Note that the common configurations with the embodiment except the light exiting-side multi-lens arraywill be explained with the same signs.

122 26 24 26 260 260 24 24 260 1 122 261 2 122 262 3 122 263 a In the liquid crystal panelof the comparative example, the light exiting-side multi-lens arrayhas the same configuration as the light incident-side multi-lens array. Specifically, the light exiting-side multi-lens arrayhas a plurality of lensesprovided to correspond to the respective pixels P and the respective lensesare placed to form pairs with the respective lensesof the light incident-side multi-lens array. In the following description, of the plurality of lenses, a lens corresponding to the first pixel Pof the liquid crystal panelmay be referred to as “first lens”, a lens corresponding to the second pixel Pof the liquid crystal panelmay be referred to as “second lens”, and a lens corresponding to the third pixel Pof the liquid crystal panelmay be referred to as “third lens”.

261 1 1 1 261 261 122 1 261 30 122 A part or a larger part of the red light LR enters the first lenscorresponding to the first pixel Pfrom the first sub-pixel PR of the first pixel P. A first component LRentering the first lensof the red light LR is transmitted through the first lensand deflected in a direction along the principal optical axis AX of the projector passing through the center of the liquid crystal panel. Accordingly, the first component LRof the red light LR transmitted through the first lensand deflected in the direction along the principal optical axis AX is efficiently transmitted through the projection optical devicelocated downstream of the liquid crystal paneland projected as an image light.

2 261 262 2 2 262 262 2 262 30 122 On the other hand, the red light LR is output with a predetermined spread, and a component spreading toward the second pixel Pside of the red light LR enters, not the first lens, but the second lenscorresponding to the second pixel P. A second component LRof the red light LR entering the second lensis transmitted through the second lensand deflected in a direction away from the principal optical axis AX of the projector. Accordingly, the second component LRof the red light LR transmitted through the second lensand deflected in a direction away from the principal optical axis AX may not be efficiently transmitted through the projection optical devicelocated downstream of the liquid crystal panel.

122 30 1 10 As described above, in the liquid crystal panelof the comparative example, a part of the red light LR may not enter the projection optical devicefrom the first sub-pixel PR of the first pixel Pand the light of the light source devicemay not be efficiently used as an image light.

1 1 263 3 1 30 Further, like the red light LR output from the first sub-pixel PR of the first pixel P, a part of the blue light LB output from the third sub-pixel PB of the first pixel Penters the third lenscorresponding to the third pixel Padjacent at the −Y side of the first pixel Pand is deflected in a direction away from the principal optical axis AX of the projector, and thereby, may not enter the projection optical device.

1 2 3 Note that, in the above description, the first pixel P, the second pixel P, and the third pixel Pare taken as an example, however, the same applies to the adjacent three pixels P in the other pixel P.

10 Therefore, in the configuration of the comparative example, it is difficult to efficiently use the light of the light source deviceas an image light.

1 1 2 25 1 2 1 3 25 1 3 2 FIG. a b On the other hand, in the projectorof the embodiment, as shown in, the red light LR output from the first sub-pixel PR of the first pixel Pand the blue light LB output from the third sub-pixel PB of the second pixel Penter the first light refractorplaced over the boundary between the first pixel Pand the second pixel P. Further, the blue light LB output from the third sub-pixel PB of the first pixel Pand the red light LR output from the first sub-pixel PR of the third pixel Penter the second light refractorplaced over the boundary between the first pixel Pand the third pixel P.

1 2 1 2 25 1 25 2 1 2 a a The first sub-pixel PR of the first pixel Pand the third sub-pixel PB of the second pixel Pare placed in positions substantially symmetrically to each other with respect to the boundary between the first pixel Pand the second pixel P. Accordingly, the incident direction of the red light LR to the first light refractorfrom the first sub-pixel PR of the first pixel Pand the incident direction of the blue light LB to the first light refractorfrom the third sub-pixel PB of the second pixel Pare substantially symmetrical to each other with respect to the boundary between the first pixel Pand the second pixel P.

25 1 25 2 25 a ax ax. The first light refractordeflects the red light LR output from the first sub-pixel PR of the first pixel Pand entering in the oblique direction from the −Y side toward the +Y side toward the −Y side with respect to a lens optical axisand deflects the blue light LB output from the third sub-pixel PB of the second pixel Pand entering in the oblique direction from the +Y side toward the −Y side toward the +Y side with respect to the lens optical axis

25 1 122 a Thereby, the first light refractorcan deflect the red light LR and the blue light LB in the direction along the principal optical axis AX of the projectorpassing through the center of the liquid crystal panel.

1 3 1 3 25 1 25 3 1 3 b b Further, the third sub-pixel PB of the first pixel Pand the first sub-pixel PR of the third pixel Pare placed in positions substantially symmetrically to each other with respect to the boundary between the first pixel Pand the third pixel P. Accordingly, the incident direction of the blue light LB to the second light refractorfrom the third sub-pixel PB of the first pixel Pand the incident direction of the red light LR to the second light refractorfrom the first sub-pixel PR of the third pixel Pare substantially symmetrical to each other with respect to the boundary between the first pixel Pand the third pixel P.

25 1 25 3 25 b bx bx. The second light refractordeflects the blue light LB output from the third sub-pixel PB of the first pixel Pand entering in the oblique direction from the +Y side toward the −Y side toward the +Y side with respect to a lens optical axisand deflects the red light LR output from the first sub-pixel PR of the third pixel Pand entering in the oblique direction from the −Y side toward the +Y side toward the −Y side with respect to the lens optical axis

25 1 122 b Thereby, the second light refractorcan deflect the red light LR and the blue light LB in the direction along the principal optical axis AX of the projectorpassing through the center of the liquid crystal panel.

25 25 1 1 2 24 22 25 ax a In the embodiment, the lens optical axisof the first light refractoris placed on the first boundary line Kbetween the first pixel Pand the second pixel Pin the X directions orthogonal to the Y directions, in which the light incident-side multi-lens array, the liquid crystal panel, and the light refractor arrayare arranged. In the embodiment, the X direction corresponds to “second direction”.

25 1 2 a According to the configuration, the first light refractorcan apply deflection forces at the same level to the red light LR entering from the first sub-pixel PR of the first pixel Pand the blue light LB entering from the third sub-pixel PB of the second pixel P.

25 25 2 1 3 bx b The lens optical axisof the second light refractoris placed on the second boundary line Kbetween the first pixel Pand the third pixel Pin the X directions.

25 1 3 b According to the configuration, the second light refractorcan apply deflection forces at the same level to the blue light LB entering from the third sub-pixel PB of the first pixel Pand the red light LR entering from the first sub-pixel PR of the third pixel P.

25 25 1 cx c A lens optical axisof the third light refractoris placed on the center of the second sub-pixel PG of the first pixel Pin the X directions.

25 1 1 c According to the configuration, the third light refractorcan output the green light LG in the direction along the principal optical axis AX of the projectorby balancing application of a deflection force to the green light LG entering from the second sub-pixel PG of the first pixel Pin the Y directions.

25 25 25 25 25 25 30 c c a b a c Note that the width of the third light refractorin the Y directions is set to a dimension that can accommodate the green light LG spreading and entering from the second sub-pixel PG. If the width of the third light refractorin the Y directions is smaller than the spread width of the green light LG, the green light LG enters an interface portion between the first light refractorand the second light refractorand an interface portion between the first light refractorand the third light refractor. An abrupt angle change occurs in the interface portion between these two light refractors, and the light entering the interface portion may be totally reflected or deflected in a direction largely away from the principal optical axis AX and not enter the projection optical device.

1 10 20 10 30 20 20 22 24 22 10 25 22 22 1 2 3 24 24 24 24 24 25 25 1 1 2 1 25 2 1 3 1 1 2 25 1 3 25 a a b a b. As described above, the projectorof the embodiment includes the light source deviceoutputting the white light LW containing the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB different in color from one another, the light modulatormodulating the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB output from the light source devicebased on the image signal, and the projection optical deviceprojecting the light output from the light modulator. The light modulatorhas one liquid crystal panel, the light incident-side multi-lens arrayprovided at the light incident side of the liquid crystal paneland entered by the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB respectively output from the light source deviceat the different angles, and the light refractor arrayprovided at the light exiting side of the liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panelhas the plurality of pixels P containing the first pixel P, the second pixel P, and the third pixel P. Each of the plurality of pixels P has the first sub-pixel PR entered by the red light LR collected by the light incident-side multi-lens array, the second sub-pixel PG adjacently placed in the Y direction of the first sub-pixel PR and entered by the green light LG collected by the light incident-side multi-lens array, and the third sub-pixel PB adjacently placed in the Y direction of the second sub-pixel PG and entered by the blue light LB collected by the light incident-side multi-lens array. The light incident-side multi-lens arrayhas the plurality of lensesprovided to correspond to each of the plurality of pixels P and respectively entered by the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB at the different angles. The light refractor arrayhas the first light refractorplaced over the first boundary line Kbetween the first pixel Pand the second pixel Padjacent at the +Y side of the first pixel Pof the plurality of pixels P, and the second light refractorplaced over the second boundary line Kbetween the first pixel Pand the third pixel Padjacent at the −Y side of the first pixel P. The red light LR output from the first sub-pixel PR of the first pixel Pand the blue light LB output from the third sub-pixel PB of the second pixel Penter the first light refractor. The blue light LB output from the third sub-pixel PB of the first pixel Pand the red light LR output from the first sub-pixel PR of the third pixel Penter the second light refractor

25 25 25 25 1 25 c a b c. Further, the light refractor arrayfurther has the third light refractorplaced between the first light refractorand the second light refractorin the Y direction and entered by the green light LG, and the green light LG output from the second sub-pixel PG of the first pixel Penters the third light refractor

1 25 25 25 25 22 30 a b c According to the projectorof the embodiment, the light refractor arrayhaving the respective light refractors,,is provided, and the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB output from each pixel P of the liquid crystal panelmay be deflected in the direction along the principal optical axis AX, efficiently transmitted through the projection optical device, and can be effectively used as the image light.

Subsequently, a configuration of a projector of a second embodiment will be explained.

The basic configuration of the projector of the second embodiment is the same that of the first embodiment, but the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the light refractor array. As below, the explanation of the common parts with the first embodiment will be omitted and the common members and configurations with the first embodiment will be explained with the same signs.

4 FIG. 4 FIG. 125 is a sectional view showing a main part of a liquid crystal panel in the projector of the embodiment. Specifically,shows a configuration of a light refractor arrayprovided at the light exiting side of the liquid crystal panel.

4 FIG. 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 a b a b c. As shown in, the light refractor arrayof the embodiment has a first light refractorand a second light refractor, but does not have the third light refractor. In the light refractor array, the first light refractorand the second light refractorare integrally formed via a planar portion

125 1 1 2 125 2 1 3 125 125 a b a b The first light refractoris placed on the first boundary line Kbetween the first pixel Pand the second pixel P, and the second light refractoris placed on the second boundary line Kbetween the first pixel Pand the third pixel P. The first light refractorand the second light refractorare formed using convex lenses.

125 125 125 125 125 1 1 125 125 125 125 ax a bx b c b a a b A distance between a lens optical axisof the first light refractorand a lens optical axisof the second light refractorin the Y directions is D, and a width of the planar portionin the Y directions is D. Note that, in other words, Dmay be a distance between an end portion at the side at which the second light refractoris placed in the first light refractorand an end portion at the side at which the first light refractoris placed in the second light refractorin the Y directions.

1 125 125 a b. Here, the green light LG output from the second sub-pixel PG located at the center of the first pixel Phas a predetermined spread, and components of the green light LG on both ends in the Y directions enter the first light refractorand the second light refractor

1 125 125 125 125 a b a b If Dis larger than 0.5 D, the sizes of the first light refractorand the second light refractorin the Y directions are smaller and the effects by the provision of the first light refractorand the second light refractorare smaller.

1 125 1 c For the reason, in the case of the embodiment, a relationship between the width Dof the planar portionin the Y directions and the distance D is set to satisfy a relationship of D≤0.5 D.

125 1 125 1 125 125 22 30 c a b According to the light refractor arrayof the embodiment, the relationship between the width Dof the planar portionin the Y directions and the distance D satisfies D≤0.5 D and, even when the light refractor array includes the first light refractorand the second light refractor, the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB output from each pixel P of the liquid crystal panelcan be efficiently transmitted through the projection optical device.

1 125 125 125 125 30 125 125 30 c a b c c Further, when 0<D≤0.5 D, the light refractor arrayhas the planar portionbetween the first light refractorand the second light refractor, and that contributes to increase in brightness of the image light output from the projection optical device. Particularly, when the planar portionfaces the second sub-pixel PG, that is, when the green light LG output from the second sub-pixel PG enters the planar portion, the contribution to the increase in brightness of the image light projected by the projection optical deviceis larger because green is a color with higher relative luminosity.

1 1 22 30 1 125 125 125 125 125 a b c a b. Note that, in the relationship of D≤0.5 D, as is the case with D≤0, the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB output from each pixel P of the liquid crystal panelcan be efficiently transmitted through the projection optical device. The case where D≤0 is e.g., a case where an end portion of the first light refractorand an end portion of the second light refractorcontact each other or a case where one end portion overlaps with the other light refractor. In this case, there is no planar portionbetween the first light refractorand the second light refractor

Subsequently, a configuration of a projector of a third embodiment will be explained.

The basic configuration of the projector of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the t embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the light refractor array. As below, the explanation of the common parts with the first embodiment will be omitted and the common members and configurations with the first embodiment will be explained with the same signs.

5 FIG. 5 FIG. 225 is a sectional view showing a main part of a liquid crystal panel in the projector of the embodiment. Specifically,shows a configuration of a light refractor arrayprovided at the light exiting side of the liquid crystal panel.

5 FIG. 225 225 225 225 225 225 225 a b a b a b”. As shown in, a plurality of light refractors forming the light refractor arrayof the embodiment include a first light refractorand a second light refractor. Hereinafter, the first light refractorand the second light refractormay be collectively simply referred to as “respective light refractors,

225 24 24 225 24 225 225 24 24 225 225 b a a b a a b The plurality of light refractors including the respective light refractorshave the same configurations as the respective lensesof the light incident-side multi-lens array. That is, the light refractor arrayof the embodiment is the same member as the light incident-side multi-lens arrayand the respective light refractors,are formed using lenses placed at an equal pitch to the arrangement pitch of the respective lensesin the light incident-side multi-lens array. In the embodiment, the light refractors,correspond to arbitrary adjacent two light refractors of the plurality of light refractors arranged in the Y directions.

225 225 24 225 1 1 2 225 2 1 3 a b a a b The respective light refractors,are placed in different positions from those of the respective lensesin the Y directions. Specifically, the convex lens forming the first light refractoris placed on the first boundary line Kbetween the first pixel Pand the second pixel Pand the convex lens forming the second light refractoris placed on the second boundary line Kbetween the first pixel Pand the third pixel P.

225 225 225 2 1 3 a b In the light refractor arrayof the embodiment, when the dimension of the pixel P in the Y direction is a, a position of a lens boundary R in the first light refractorand the second light refractoris displaced by 0.2 a or more and 0.5 a or less with respect to the second boundary line Kas the boundary between the first pixel Pand the third pixel P.

30 If the displacement is smaller than 0.2 a, the configuration is closer to that of the above described comparative example. That is, the respective color lights LR, LB output from the first sub-pixel PR and the third sub-pixel PB located on ends of each pixel P are deflected in directions away from the principal optical axis AX, and thereby, cannot be efficiently transmitted through the projection optical device. Further, when the displacement is larger than 0.5 a, the lights are folded back, and the upper limit is 0.5 a.

225 2 24 225 22 30 According to the light refractor arrayof the embodiment, as described above, a displacement amount RD of the lens boundary R with respect to the second boundary line Ksatisfies 0.2 a or more and 0.5 a or less. Even when the same member as the light incident-side multi-lens arrayis used as the light refractor array, the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB output from each pixel P of the liquid crystal panelcan be efficiently transmitted through the projection optical device.

2 1 225 225 1 1 2 22 30 a b Note that, in the above description, the position of the lens boundary R with respect to the second boundary line Kis taken as an example, however, the same applies to a case where a position of the lens boundary R with respect to the first boundary line Kis used as a reference. In this case, the position of the lens boundary R in the first light refractorand the second light refractormay be displaced by 0.2 a or more and 0.5 a or less with respect to the first boundary line Kas the boundary between the first pixel Pand the second pixel P. In this case as well, similarly, the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB output from each pixel P of the liquid crystal panelcan be efficiently transmitted through the projection optical device.

Subsequently, a configuration of a projector of a fourth embodiment will be explained.

The basic configuration of the projector of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the light refractor array. As below, the explanation of the common parts with the first embodiment will be omitted and the common members and configurations with the first embodiment will be explained with the same signs.

6 FIG. 6 FIG. 325 is a sectional view showing a main part of a liquid crystal panel in the projector of the embodiment. Specifically,shows a configuration of a light refractor arrayprovided at the light exiting side of the liquid crystal panel.

6 FIG. 325 325 325 325 325 1 1 2 325 2 1 3 325 325 325 a b c a b c a b. As shown in, a plurality of light refractors forming the light refractor arrayof the embodiment include a first light refractor, a second light refractor, and a third light refractor. The first light refractoris placed on the first boundary line Kbetween the first pixel Pand the second pixel P, and the second light refractoris placed on the second boundary line Kbetween the first pixel Pand the third pixel P. The third light refractoris placed between the first light refractorand the second light refractor

325 325 325 325 325 325 a b c a b c”. Hereinafter, the first light refractor, the second light refractor, and the third light refractormay be collectively simply referred to as “respective light refractors,,

325 325 325 325 a b c a The plurality of light refractors including the respective light refractors,,have truncated cone shapes. As below, the truncated cone shape and effects by the shape will be explained using the first light refractoras an example.

325 22 41 325 325 325 325 a a a b c The first light refractorhas the truncated cone shape having an outer shape tapered toward the +X direction away from the liquid crystal paneland an endas a planar surface. That is, the first light refractorhas the shape deflecting the entering light without a lens function collecting the light. In the case of the embodiment, the respective light refractors,,are integrated.

40 325 40 41 a A side surfaceof the first light refractoris a surface inclined in a direction closer to the principal optical axis AX from the −X side toward the +X side. In the case of the embodiment, the side surfaceis formed by the planar surface at a base side (−X) and partially formed by a curved surface such as a spherical surface or an aspherical surface toward the endside (+X).

325 41 325 a a In a plan view of the first light refractorfrom the endside (+X side), the first light refractormay have a circular shape or substantially an oval shape having a long axis in the Z directions according to the shape of the pixel P.

1 1 325 325 325 325 a b a c. As described above, the green light LG output from the second sub-pixel PG located at the center of the first pixel Phas a predetermined spread, and both-ends components LGof the green light LG in the Y directions enter the first light refractorand the second light refractorand the first light refractorand the third light refractor

2 325 325 a c. For example, a part of a one-end component LGof the green light LG located at the +Y side enters the first light refractoradjacent to the third light refractor

325 325 325 325 a b c a 6 FIG. Here, as a comparative example, a case where the respective light refractors,,are formed using spherical lenses is considered. That is, as shown by a dash double-dot line in, a case where the first light refractoris formed using a lens is considered.

20 325 30 20 a In this case, a one-end component LGof the green light LG is collected by the lens face of the first light refractorand largely deflected toward the +Y side farther away from the principal optical axis AX. Accordingly, the projection optical deviceis hard to take in the one-end component LGof the green light LG.

325 325 325 325 40 2 40 325 40 2 2 30 a b c a On the other hand, according to the light refractor arrayof the embodiment, as described above, the respective light refractors,,have the truncated cone shapes, and the side surfacehas the shape without the lens function. Thereby, even when the one-end component LGof the green light LG enters the side surfaceof the first light refractor, the side surfacewithout the lens function slightly refracts the one-end component LG, but does not largely deflect the traveling direction thereof. Therefore, the defect that the one-end component LGof the green light LG is largely deflected toward the +Y side away from the principal optical axis AX and hard to be taken in the projection optical devicecan be suppressed.

325 325 325 325 22 30 a b c Thus, according to the light refractor arrayof the embodiment, as described above, the respective light refractors,,having the truncated cone shapes are provided, and thereby, of the color lights output from each pixel P of the liquid crystal panel, particularly, the green light LG can be efficiently transmitted through the projection optical device.

Subsequently, a configuration of a projector of a fifth embodiment will be explained.

The projector of the fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the light source device. As below, the explanation of the common parts with the first embodiment will be omitted and the common members and configurations with the first embodiment will be explained with the same signs.

7 FIG. is a schematic configuration diagram of the projector of the embodiment.

7 FIG. 101 110 20 30 As shown in, a projectorof the embodiment includes a light source device, the light modulator, and the projection optical device.

110 111 111 111 112 112 112 113 113 113 114 114 114 115 17 The light source deviceincludes a first light sourceR, a second light sourceG, a third light sourceB, a first collimator systemR, a second collimator systemG, a third collimator systemB, a first lens array for red lightR, a first lens array for green lightG, a first lens array for blue lightB, a second lens array for red lightR, a second lens array for green lightG, a second lens array for blue lightB, a polarization conversion element, and the superimposition system.

111 111 111 The first light sourceR includes a red LED and outputs the red light LR. The second light sourceG includes a green LED and outputs the green light LG. The third light sourceB includes a blue LED and outputs the blue light LB.

111 111 111 The first light sourceR, the second light sourceG, and the third light sourceB are sequentially placed from the −Y side toward the +Y side in the Y direction orthogonal to the principal optical axis AX.

112 111 113 112 111 113 112 111 113 The first collimator systemR parallelizes and guides the red light LR emitted from the first light sourceR to the first lens array for red lightR. The second collimator systemG parallelizes and guides the green light LG emitted from the second light sourceG to the first lens array for green lightG. The third collimator systemB parallelizes and guides the blue light LB emitted from the third light sourceB to the first lens array for blue lightB.

113 113 111 113 111 113 The first lens array for red lightR has a plurality of lensesRa arranged in a matrix form within a plane orthogonal to an illumination optical axis RX of the first light sourceR. The first lens array for red lightR divides the red light LR entering from the first light sourceR into a plurality of partial luminous fluxes by the plurality of lensesRa.

113 113 111 113 111 113 The first lens array for green lightG has a plurality of lensesGa arranged in a matrix form within a plane orthogonal to an illumination optical axis GX of the second light sourceG. The first lens array for green lightG divides the green light LG entering from the second light sourceG into a plurality of partial luminous fluxes by the plurality of lensesGa.

113 113 111 113 111 113 The first lens array for blue lightB has a plurality of lensesBa arranged in a matrix form within a plane orthogonal to an illumination optical axis BX of the third light sourceB. The first lens array for blue lightB divides the blue light LB entering from the third light sourceB into a plurality of partial luminous fluxes by the plurality of lensesBa.

113 113 113 In the embodiment, the first lens array for red lightR, the first lens array for green lightG, and the first lens array for blue lightB may be integrally formed or separately formed.

114 114 111 113 113 114 113 114 114 115 The second lens array for red lightR has a plurality of lensesRb arranged in a matrix form within the plane orthogonal to the illumination optical axis RX of the first light eR and corresponding to the plurality of lensesRa of the first lens array for red lightR. Into each lensRb, the partial luminous flux output from the lensRa corresponding to the lensRb is entered. Each lensRb enters the partial luminous flux into the polarization conversion element.

114 114 111 113 113 114 113 114 114 115 The second lens array for green lightG has a plurality of lensesGb arranged in a matrix form within the plane orthogonal to the illumination optical axis GX of the second light sourceG and corresponding to the plurality of lensesGa of the first lens array for green lightG. Into each lensGb, the partial luminous flux output from the lensGa corresponding to the lensGb is entered. Each lensGb enters the partial luminous flux into the polarization conversion element.

114 114 111 113 113 114 113 114 114 115 The second lens array for blue lightB has a plurality of lensesBb arranged in a matrix form within the plane orthogonal to the illumination optical axis BX of the third light sourceB and corresponding to the plurality of lensesBa of the first lens array for blue lightB. Into each lensBb, the partial luminous flux output from the lensBa corresponding to the lensBb is entered. Each lensBb enters the partial luminous flux into the polarization conversion element.

115 114 114 114 The polarization conversion elementof the embodiment has a width that can accommodate the respective color lights from the second lens array for red lightR, the second lens array for green lightG, and the second lens array for blue lightB in the Y directions.

10 110 111 111 111 17 110 17 17 As described above, unlike the light source deviceof the first embodiment, the light source deviceof the embodiment individually includes the first light sourceR, the second light sourceG, and the third light sourceB, and thereby, can enter the light containing the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB different in color from one another into the superimposition system. That is, the light source deviceenters the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB into different locations on the light incident surface of the superimposing lensA of the superimposition system.

101 24 24 20 a According to the configuration, the projectorof the embodiment can enter the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB into each lensof the light incident-side multi-lens array, which will be described later, provided in the light modulatorat different angles in the Y directions.

1 Note that the other configurations are common with the projectorof the first embodiment and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

1 101 25 22 22 30 Like the projectorof the first embodiment, in the projectorof the embodiment, the light refractor arrayis provided on the light exiting side of the liquid crystal panel, and thereby, the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB output from each pixel P of the liquid crystal panelmay be efficiently transmitted through the projection optical deviceand can be effectively used as the image light.

Note that the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above described embodiments, but various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In addition, the specific configurations including the numbers, placements, shapes, and materials of the various component elements forming the projector are not limited to those of the above described embodiments, but can be appropriately changed.

As below, the summary of the present disclosure will be appended.

A projector includes a light source device outputting a light containing a first color light, a second color light, and a third color light different in color from one another, a light modulator modulating the first color light, the second color light, and the third color light output from the light source device based on an image signal, and a projection optical device projecting the light output from the light modulator, wherein the light modulator has one liquid crystal panel, a multi-lens array provided at a light incident side of the liquid crystal panel and respectively entered by the first color light, the second color light, and the third color light output from the light source device at different angles, and a light refractor array provided at a light exiting side of the liquid crystal panel, the liquid crystal panel has a plurality of pixels containing a first pixel, a second pixel, and a third pixel, each of the plurality of pixels has a first sub-pixel entered by the first color light collected by the multi-lens array, a second sub-pixel placed adjacent to the first sub-pixel in a first direction and entered by the second color light collected by the multi-lens array, and a third sub-pixel placed adjacent to the second sub-pixel in the first direction and entered by the third color light collected by the multi-lens array, the multi-lens array has a plurality of lenses provided to correspond to each of the plurality of pixels and respectively entered by the first color light, the second color light, and the third color light at different angles, the light refractor array has a first light refractor placed over a boundary between the first pixel and the second pixel adjacent to the first pixel at one side in the first direction of the plurality of pixels, and a second light refractor placed over a boundary between the first pixel and the third pixel adjacent to the first pixel at the other side in the first direction, the first color light output from the first sub-pixel of the first pixel and the third color light output from the third sub-pixel of the second pixel enter the first light refractor, and the third color light output from the third sub-pixel of the first pixel and the color light output from the first sub-pixel of the third pixel enter the second light refractor.

According to the projector having the configuration, the light refractor array having the first light refractor and the second light refractor is provided, and the first light and the third color light output from each pixel of the liquid crystal panel may be deflected in a direction along a principal optical axis of the projector, efficiently entered into the projection optical device, and can be effectively used as the image light.

The projector according to Appendix 1, wherein the light refractor array further has a third light refractor provided between the first light refractor and the second light refractor in the first direction and entered by the second color light, and the second color light output from the second sub-pixel of the first pixel enters the third light refractor.

25 30 c According to the configuration, the third light refractoris provided, and thereby, the spread of the second color light output from the second sub-pixel of the first pixel may be suppressed and the second color light can be efficiently transmitted through the projection optical device.

In the projector according to Appendix 1, each of the first light refractor and the second light refractor includes lenses arranged at an equal pitch to an arrangement pitch of the lenses in the multi-lens array, and a position of a lens boundary in the first light refractor and the second light refractor is displaced by 0.2 a or more and 0.5 a or less with respect to a boundary between the first pixel and the second pixel or a boundary between the first pixel and the third pixel, where a dimension of the pixel in the first direction is a.

When the displacement is smaller than 0.2 a, the respective color lights output from the first sub-pixel and the third sub-pixel located on both ends of each pixel are deflected in the directions away from the principal optical axis of the projector, and thereby, the lights are hard to enter the projection optical device. Further, when the displacement is larger than 0.5 a, the lights are folded back, and the upper limit is 0.5 a.

On the other hand, when the displacement satisfies 0.2 a or more and 0.5 a or less, even in a case where the same member as the multi-lens array is used as the light refractor array, the respective color lights output from each pixel of the liquid crystal panel can be efficiently transmitted through the projection optical device.

1 1 In the projector according to Appendix 1, D≤0.5 D, where a distance between an optical axis of the first light refractor and an optical axis of the second light refractor is D, and a distance between an end portion at the second light refractor side of the first light refractor and an end portion at the first light refractor side of the second light refractor is D.

1 1 For the distance D between the optical axis of the first light refractor and the optical axis of the second light refractor, the distance Dbetween the end portion at the second light refractor side of the first light refractor and the end portion at the first light refractor side of the second light refractor is set to D≤0.5 D, and thereby, the red light, the green light, and the blue light output from each pixel of the liquid crystal panel can be efficiently transmitted through the projection optical device.

1 In the projector according to Appendix 4, D>0, and the light refractor array has a planar portion between the first light refractor and the second light refractor.

According to the configuration, a degree of deflection in a direction in which a beam angle of the light output from the second sub-pixel becomes larger is relaxed. As a result, transmittance of the projection optical device is improved and that contributes to increase in brightness of the image light output from the projection optical device.

In the projector according to Appendix 1, the first light refractor is a lens having a symmetrical shape with respect to a lens optical axis, and the lens optical axis of the first light refractor is placed on a boundary line between the first pixel and the second pixel in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, in which the multi-lens array, the liquid crystal panel, and the light refractor array are arranged.

According to the configuration, the first light refractor can apply deflection forces at the same level to the first color light entering from the first sub-pixel of the first pixel and the third color light entering from the third sub-pixel of the second pixel.

In the projector according to Appendix 1, each of the first light refractor and the second light refractor has a truncated cone shape having an outer shape tapered from a base portion toward an end portion and a top part of the end portion as a planar surface.

According to the configuration, the respective light refractors having the truncated cone shapes are provided, and thereby, of the color lights output from each pixel of the liquid crystal panel, particularly, the second color light can be efficiently transmitted through the projection optical device.